curvybritt

I really like the Optifast products. I remember trying them years ago and absolutely hated it but the banana one is yum! I'll have to try the other flavours.

I didn't have any doubts about the surgery until I actually had it. Then I started questioning my decision. However, I'm on Day 5 now and I'm back on track, and I can see the benefits. It's very hard the first few days and you have to force yourself to get into the mindset that you can only drink small amounts of Clear liquids / nourishing liquids / pureed foods the first six weeks,. The more I am healing the more I can see that it's getting better and that it was worth it. I'm starting to regain my hunger but it's nothing like it was. Before this I had lost and regained 35kg twice, through Duromine, Reductil, Celebrity slim, Jenny Craig, Curves Gym etc etc etc. The surgery really does just limit the amount of food yo can eat. It is possible to stretch it, so it really is just a tool. I sort of waffled on there, but I hope you see what I'm trying to say. curvybritt

I feel the same if I eat or drink a little bit too much, but it's so hard to judge sometimes. I take Esomerazole for GERD and I haven't had any problems.

I like coffee, but haven't had any headaches. I would say it may be caffeine withdrawal. Maybe ask you NUT when you can start your coffee fix again? I would say you would probably start during your Nourishing Liquids Phase (Phase 2). curvybritt

Yes, don't worry about not having a drain. My surgeon has only just started using them. curvybritt

Have fun! Maybe she was new. I would still be really cautious about the type of harness, but it's up to you. curvybritt

Have you tried Celebrity Slim? I add the 200ml of milk as suggested then 100ml of Water on top, the flavours taste just like Masters Choc Milk or Banana Milk, or Choc Banana Milk, yum! These expand in your stomach though so pre-surgery my NUT suggested I cut the regular amount into thirds. Otherwise I have just tried Optifast Banana which is actually delicious, i was expecting to absolutely hate it. curvybritt

It may be where they removed a drain, as they mentioned above, which hurt the most for me when they first took it out. Although you say you didn't have a drain.. It could be your largest incision site where they removed your stomach? I'm 5 days out at the moment and that's the one hurting the most for me. Did they give you any pain medication? I have liquid panadol which I take through the day which seems to help (maybe even as a placebo). They offered me oxycodone, but i had some tramadol at home which I'm taking at night so that I don't wake up when I'm sleeping, and they seem to help.

There are some weight loss Protein shakes that you do actually mix with milk, and not Water. It really depends what brand you chose. Optifast is water only as it contains milk in the powder. However, a brand like Celebrity Slim that requires milk tastes really disgusting with water. While your'e in the liquid stage, I would also include any liquid in your total water intake. It's only when you get into the puree stage that these should be counted separately, I think.

I was in for about an hour and a half, maybe a little less. I remember dreaming through my surgery, that was nice.

I have been thinking about this too. I'm just including soups as part of my water intake for the day.

I would definitely contact your surgeon. Luckily my drain was taken out on day 3, just before I left the hospital. I don't think I could have bene able to deal with mine at home! Mine burned a little bit when it came out, but it was such a relief. Just make sure to take deep breaths when they take it out.

Amazing progress!

Thanks for the add everyone!

I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable proceeding after being spoken to like that. I didn't get the treatment you did for my first consultation, but I felt like they didn't care what I got as long as I signed on the dotted line. I dismissed the surgery completely. I then had a new surgeon recommended to me, and am completely comfortable.

Insurance in the US sounds exhausting! I can't get back in to see my doctor to agree to the surgery until November, so I'm hoping I will have my surgery January!

You can see a HUGE difference, around your waist and hips especially. Listen to the positives.

I haven't been sleeved yet, but when I have lost the weight in the past I bought a few new staples when it actually became annoying to wear my clothes (due to them being so big, belts etc). I would buy cardigans, tights and I agree with dresses too, belts work when they get a bit too big.

I have also wondered this, as I have researched it quite a bit online. It's interesting that doctors have different guidelines, as as said above it's probably due to their own experience etc. It seems like the stricter a diet you follow after surgery, the more weight is lost initially?

I have told a select few of my friends at the office, and they have all been very supportive. I have yet to have the surgery, but I have no problem telling people if they ask (once I start losing weight), and if they're negative or disapproving I know they weren't my real friends in the first place.

Great information in this thread!

I haven't had my surgery yet (hopefully before January), but it would be great to have some friends on there going through the same thing. My user is: brittawatson

Great progress!

Amazing progress, everyone! something to look forward to when I get my sleeve.

You look great, keep up the great work!